Animal Bedding and Associated Method for Preparing the Same

ABSTRACT

Animal bedding having one or more solvents and a lignocellulosic fiber, wherein the lignocellulosic fiber has been processed by ruminant digestion and anaerobic digestion. A method for preparing pelletized animal bedding is also disclosed including the steps of providing excrement from a cow which has undergone ruminant digestion, introducing the cow excrement into an anaerobic digester, modifying the cow excrement to a first wet product, drying the first wet product to generate a first dry product, and densifying the first dry product to, in turn, generate pelletized animal bedding.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/427,511, filed Mar. 22, 2012, entitled “Animal Bedding and AssociatedMethod for Preparing the Same,” which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/466,301, filed Mar. 22, 2011,entitled “Fibrous Materials and Associated Methods for Using the Same,”which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety,including all references cited therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to animal bedding and, moreparticularly, to animal bedding (e.g., horse bedding, etcetera) whichcomprises lignocellulosic fiber which has been processed by ruminantdigestion and anaerobic digestion. The animal bedding and associatedmethods of the present invention are environmentally beneficial becausethey convert waste to resources, reduce air and water pollution, anddirectly contribute to the procurement of sustainable biologicalsystems.

Animal bedding products have been known in the art for years and are thesubject of a plurality of publications and patents including: U.S. Pat.No. 2,708,418 entitled “Animal Bedding,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,629entitled “Litter for Mammals and Fowl,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,434 entitled“Suppression of Ammonia Odors from Animal Wastes,” U.S. Pat, No.6,276,300 entitled “Animal Litter,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,144 entitled“Method of Manufacturing Absorbent Material for Conversion toFertilizer,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,267 entitled “Pelletized Animal Beddingand Process and Tool for Sifting Manure Therefrom,” U.S. Pat. No.6,619,234 entitled “Absorbent Compacted Composition,” U.S. Pat. No.6,698,380 entitled “Animal Bed from Cottonseed,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,783entitled “Absorbent, Deodorizing, Hygienic Animal Bedding Compositionand Method of Manufacture,” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,798 entitled “AnimalBedding Additive and Animal Bedding Containing the Same,” all of whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety—includingall references cited therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,708,418 appears to disclose bedding material for poultryand animals adapted particularly to absorb liquids and other excrement.The bedding material is manufactured from paper pulp, and preferablysmall pieces of paper pulp adapted to absorb rapidly any liquidresulting from animal excrement.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,629 appears to disclose pelletized mammal or fowllitter, particularly useful for domestic pets and laboratory animals.The litter provides a highly absorbent, antibacterial, antifungal andodor control bedding which is composed of defibered cellulosic materialsmixed with chemicals, obtaining properties described therein. Thecomposition which is chemically of a basic pH is compressed into pelletform to provide improved handling and antitracking qualities.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,434 appears to disclose one solution to theaccumulation of gaseous ammonia in areas wherein animals are housed ormaintained by providing to the areas animal litter, bedding, or otherabsorbent material which contain a low molecular weight, non-volatileorganic acid. Acids such as citric, malic, fumaric, phosphoric,tartaric, maleic, malonic, succinic, sorbic and mixtures of these acidsare used and especially phosphoric and fumaric. These acids can be usedin concentrations of about 0.0001 to 2 weight % of the dry bedding.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,300 appears to disclose a litter compositionincluding paper, sawdust, and zeolite molecular sieve. The compositionis formed into pellets or discs having a size, soil-like consistency,and texture which is believed to be attractive to dogs. In addition, thelitter has a high degree of absorption and odor control. The littercomposition may further include sphagnum moss to provide additionalabsorbency.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,144 appears to disclose a method of producing anorganic fertilizer from a highly absorbent animal bedding materialmanufactured from recycled waste paper, cotton fiber, cotton gin waste,and gypsum. The recycled waste products are combined to form a slurrymixture for processing by conventional paper making machinery into sheetmaterial. Various chemical additives are admixed to the slurry mixtureto control bacterial growth in the bedding material. The sheet materialis further processed into sized particles to provide an animal beddingsuch as poultry litter. After the highly absorbent material is saturatedwith nutrient-rich animal excrement, it is subjected to chemicalanalysis and further processed to provide a biodegradable, organicfertilizer. The absorbent bedding material has alternative uses such asfor collection of liquid chemical spills and for the remediation of suchspills by biodegradation. The converted organic fertilizer can also beused as a ruminant feed after chemical analysis and the elimination ofharmful microorganisms.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,267 appears to disclose an animal bedding materialconsisting of compacted and compressed pelletized sawdust particles orgranules of relatively uniform size by a pellet fork specificallydesigned to enable the pellets or particles to sift through the tines ofthe fork while retaining all but the tiniest particles of manure atopthe tines for disposal. The pellet fork is uniquely and specificallydesigned to provide an improved sifting function not previously possiblewith other bedding materials except when using a mechanized sifter,resulting in substantial material and labor cost savings, longer lifeand easier maintenance of bedding, reduction of cleaning time per stall,improved cleanliness of stalls and attendant improved health of theanimals. The volume of waste and bedding removed from a horse stallduring cleaning may reduce a manure pile as much as 70% compared toconventional use of straw.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,234 appears to disclose an absorbent compactedcomposition which consists essentially of clay, a finely dividedcellulosic material, such as fir, and finely divided pine. The amount offinely divided cellulosic material and finely divided pine is enough tobind the composition into a compacted form without additional binders orwater addition. Also, the amount of pine is sufficient to reduce thefriction heat during compaction to no greater than about 200 degreesFahrenheit.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,380 appears to disclose a method for improving thecomfort, health, and grooming of an animal by providing a beddingmaterial made of cottonseeds. A fragrance and/or a pesticide may beadded to the cottonseeds.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,783 appears to disclose an animal beddingcomposition and method of manufacture which includes cut or shreddedpieces of multiple panel corrugated cardboard kraft paper structureshaving an internal corrugated panel sandwiched between outer panels, andan adsorptive deodorizing ion exchange agent such as a zeolite dispersedthroughout the cardboard pieces and carried on outer and inner surfacesof the pieces of cardboard and on outer and inner surfaces of thecorrugations to provide a comfortable, hygienic and deodorized floorcovering for animal stalls. An automated method of manufacturing theanimal bedding composition is also described. The ion exchange agentattaches to surfaces of the corrugated cardboard which serves as acarrier to sanitize and deodorize a stall. The open structure of the cutcorrugations provides mechanical load absorption, and a wicking actionto aerate moisture from a stall. The ion exchange agent carried by thecorrugated pieces removes ammonia odor from urine and provides slowrelease potassium and, when loaded with ammonium, slow release ofnitrogen for agricultural fertilization. Carbon in the kraft paper fromwhich the corrugated cardboard is constructed attracts nitrogen fromurine, yielding excellent fertilizing material with rapidbiodegradation.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,798 appears to disclose an animal bedding mixturewhich includes a bedding material and a bedding material additive. Thebedding material is preferably straw, sawdust, sand or recycled manuresolids. The bedding material additive is preferably 60-99% by weightabsorbent clay powder, 0.1 to 35% by weight chlorite salt, and 0.01-35%by weight sodium bisulfate or sodium percarbonate. The bedding materialadditive of the present disclosure is inert when dry and neithergermicidal or acidic. However, when the additive is exposed to moisture,such as animal urine, the sodium bisulfate will acidify the liquid,causing the formation of hypochlorous acid and chlorine dioxide.Hypochlorous acid and chlorine dioxide are very powerful, broad spectrumgermicides that have proven efficacy against E. coli, Staphylococcusaureus, and other micro-organisms commonly found in animal bedding.

While animal bedding products have been known in the art for years,issues associated with bedding durability, absorbency, waste,compostability, biodegradability, animal and human health as well asfacilitating sustainable biological systems remain largely problematic.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an animalbedding product that comprises lignocellulosic fiber which has beenprocessed by ruminant digestion and anaerobic digestion. Such animalbedding converts waste to resources, reduces air and water pollution,and directly contributes to the procurement of sustainable biologicalsystems.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent inlight of the present specification, claims, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to animal bedding,comprising, consisting and/or consisting essentially of: (a) one or moresolvents; and (b) a lignocellulosic fiber, wherein the lignocellulosicfiber has been processed by ruminant digestion and anaerobic digestion.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the one or moresolvents comprises water which is preferably present in a concentrationof less than approximately 25% by weight.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the one ormore solvents are present in a concentration of less than approximately70% by weight, and more preferably less than approximately 50% weight.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, thelignocellulosic fiber compromises processed lignin, hemicellulose, andcellulose.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lignocellulosicfiber is present in a concentration of greater than approximately 40% byweight, and more preferably greater than approximately 50% weight.

In one aspect of the present invention, the density fiber of the animalbedding ranges from approximately 0.950 grams per cubic centimeter toapproximately 1.40 grams per cubic centimeter.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pH of the animalbedding is alkaline and ranges in pH from greater than approximately 8to less than approximately 10.5.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the averageparticle size of the lignocellulosic fiber is less than approximately 10microns.

In one embodiment of the preset invention, the animal bedding ispelletized and preferably includes a specific density which ranges fromapproximately 0.400 grams per cubic centimeter to approximately 0.850grams per cubic centimeter.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the animalbedding further comprises an odor suppressant, such as an organic ester.

Moreover, the animal bedding may further comprise an indictor to informa user when the animal bedding has been soiled with urine. Non-limitingexamples of indicators include 3-amino-7-dimethylamino-2-methylphenazinehydrochloride and3,3-bis(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-5-propan-2-ylphenyl)-2-benzofuran-1-one.

The present invention is also directed to a method for preparingpelletized animal bedding, comprising the steps of: (a) providingexcrement from a cow which has undergone ruminant digestion; (b)introducing the cow excrement into an anaerobic digester; (c) modifyingthe cow excrement to a first wet product; (d) drying the first wetproduct to generate a first dry product; and (e) densifying the firstdry product to, in turn, generate pelletized animal bedding.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the above-identifiedmethod further comprises the step of bleaching the first dry productbefore the step of densifying the first dry product. It will beunderstood that regardless of its ordinary meaning, the term “bleaching”will be defined herein as chemical bleaching, color alternating, colorlightening, and/or physical separation of colored material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by theaccompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are notnecessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understandingof the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive maybe omitted. It will be further understood that the invention is notnecessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of animal beddingmanufactured in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a perspective view of pelletized animalbedding manufactured in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detailseveral specific embodiments with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theembodiments illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components,referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with likereference characters. It will be further understood that one or more ofFIGS. 1-2 are merely schematic representations of animal bedding. Assuch, some of the components have been distorted from their actual scalefor pictorial clarity.

In accordance with the present invention, the animal bedding disclosedherein is configured for use in a plurality of applications including,but not limited to, dairy bedding, horse bedding, cat bedding, smallanimal bedding, etcetera. The animal bedding of the present invention,among other benefits, has substantially longer stall life (i.e.,utilization time), reduces store, farm and/or stall management costs,reduces cleaning costs, reduces material disposal costs, reducesveterinary costs, relative to commercially available animal bedding.Moreover, the animal bedding of the present invention is a direct resultof the conversion of waste material to a resource which isbiodegradable, compostable, and sustainable with respect to biologicalsystems.

Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, animalbedding 10 is shown which generally comprises one or more solvents 12and lignocellulosic fiber 14. It will be understood that lignocellulosicfiber 14 has been processed by both ruminant digestion and supplementalanaerobic digestion. In particular, the ruminant digestion typicallyoccurs in a cow or other animal and the supplemental anaerobic digestionoccurs in an anaerobic digester which is commercially available from anyone of a number or sources, including Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy Farm,Kewaunee, Wis., and Vir-Clar Dairy Farm, Fond du Lac, Wis.. It will beunderstood that sequential ruminant digestion followed by anaerobicdigestion chemically and physically alters the original animal excrementinto a material having different physical and chemical properties.

One or more solvents 12 of animal bedding 10 preferably comprise water,but other solvents are likewise contemplated for use in accordance withthe present invention, including nonpolar solvents (e.g., pentane,hexane, benzene, toluene, chloroform, diethyl ether, etcetera) polaraprotic solvents (e.g., acetone, propylene carbonate, tetrahydrofuran,etcetera) and/or polar protic solvents (e.g., water, methanol, ethanol,isopropanol, acetic acid, formic acid, etcetera). Preferably, theconcentration of one or more solvents 12 is less than approximately 70%by weight, and more preferably less than approximately 50% weight. Itwill be understood that one or more solvents 12 of animal bedding 10 areentrapped into the structure of lignocellulosic fiber 14, which amongother things, provides for a sponge-like characteristic, as well asfacilitates the initiation of cellular absorption. It will be furtherunderstood that one or more solvents 12 of animal bedding 10 facilitatesattractive forces, including, but not limited to, Van der Waals forcesand/or hydrogen bonding between atoms, molecules, and/or surfaces oflignocellulosic fiber 14—including lignin, hemicellulose, and/orcellulose and fibers of the same—just to name a few.

In one embodiment, lignocellulosic fiber 14 includes a combination oflignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose. However, as will be discussed ingreater detail below, lignocellulosic fiber 14 may comprise othermaterials. After being processed by both ruminant digestion andsupplemental anaerobic digestion, the density fiber of animal bedding 10preferably ranges from approximately 0.950 grams per cubic centimeter toapproximately 1.40 grams per cubic centimeter. Additionally,lignocellulosic fiber 14 of animal bedding 10 is present in aconcentration of greater than approximately 40% by weight, and morepreferably present in a concentration of greater than approximately 50%by weight.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, animal bedding 10preferably comprises an alkaline pH which ranges from greater thanapproximately 8 to less than approximately 10.5. However, it will beunderstood that non-alkaline pH's are contemplated for certainapplications.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, animal bedding10 includes lignocellulosic fiber 14 which preferably comprises anaverage particle size of less than approximately 10 microns.

As is best shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the present invention,animal bedding 10 is pelletized. In this embodiment the specific densityof the animal bedding pellets ranges from approximately 0.400 grams percubic centimeter to approximately 0.850 grams per cubic centimeter.

When animal bedding 10 is in pellet form, one or more solvents 12 arepreferably present in a concentration of less than approximately 25% byweight.

Animal bedding 10 may also include odor suppressant 16. Odor suppressant16 preferably comprises an organic ester to mask urine and/or fecesodor, and may also comprise an odor neutralizer which converts urea to aless odoriferous compound.

In accordance with the present invention, animal bedding 10 may alsoinclude indicator 18 which visually identifies when animal bedding 10has been soiled by an animal. Non-limiting examples of indicators 18include 3-amino-7-dimethylamino-2-methylphenazine hydrochloride and3,3-bis(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-5-propan-2-ylphenyl)-2-benzofuran-1-one—justto name a few.

The present invention is also directed to a method for preparingpelletized animal bedding, comprising the following steps. First, aruminant animal (e.g., cow, cattle, goat, sheep, giraffe, bison, moose,elk, yak, water buffalo, deer, camel, alpaca, llama, antelope,pronghorn, nilgai, etcetera) is fed with sufficient quantities of bastand/or bast type fibre from one or more sources including, but notlimited to, corn, wheat, etcetera. Second, excrement from the ruminantanimal which has undergone ruminant digestion via the animal isobtained. Next, the animal excrement is associated with (e.g., placedin) an anaerobic digester which generates a first wet product. After thefirst wet product is generated, it is placed into a conventional dryerwhich generates a first dry product. The first dry product is suitablefor use as animal bedding 10, but may also be densified and/orpelletized using conventional techniques (e.g., compressiondensification and/or pelletization) animal bedding. One commercialsource for pelletization is Michigan Wood Fuel Pellets, Holland, Mich..Lastly, the first wet product and/or the first dry product may bebleached or color altered prior to, during, and/or after densifying thefirst dry product.

The invention is further described by the following example.

Example I

Perfect Cycle™ Natural Bedding, which is commercially available fromEco-composites LLC, Holland, Mich., was placed into a horse stall. Onthe same day traditional wood shaving bedding was placed into a separatehorse stall. After approximately three days of use, the traditional woodshaving bedding was saturated to the point where the horse was showingsigns of dissatisfaction with the bedding. However, the Perfect Cycle™Natural Bedding of the present invention, was still acceptably absorbentafter fifteen days and substantial pellet breakdown was not observeduntil after about 21 days. The Perfect Cycle™ Natural Bedding exhibiteda plurality of superior features/characteristics including five timesthe absorbency and product life compared to traditional wood shavingbedding. Moreover, the odor emanating from the stall with the PerfectCycle™ Natural Bedding was substantially more acceptable compared to theodor emanating from the stall with the traditional wood shaving bedding.Furthermore, due to, at least in part, the solvent configuration,composition and/or concentration of the Perfect Cycle™ Natural Bedding,the dust observed in the horse stall was substantially reduced comparedto the dust observed in the stall with the traditional wood shavingbedding. Lastly, after use, the Perfect Cycle™ Natural Bedding wasreadily compostable, whereas the traditional wood shaving bedding wererequired to be disposed of using traditional resources.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the inventionand the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appendedclaims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications withoutdeparting the scope of the invention.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. Animal bedding, comprising: at least one solvent,wherein the at least one solvent comprises water and is present in aconcentration of less than approximately 25% weight; and alignocellulosic fiber, wherein the lignocellulosic fiber compromisesprocessed lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose, and wherein thelignocellulosic fiber has been processed by ruminant digestion andanaerobic digestion.
 23. The animal bedding according to claim 22,wherein the density fiber of the animal bedding ranges fromapproximately 0.950 grams per cubic centimeter to approximately 1.40grams per cubic centimeter.
 24. The animal bedding according to claim23, wherein the pH of the animal bedding is alkaline.
 25. The animalbedding according to claim 24, wherein the pH of the animal beddingranges from greater than approximately 8 to less than approximately10.5.
 26. The animal bedding according to claim 25, wherein averageparticle size of the lignocellulosic fiber is less than approximately 10microns.
 27. The animal bedding according to claim 26, wherein animalbedding is pelletized.
 28. The animal bedding according to claim 27,wherein the specific density of the animal bedding pellets ranges fromapproximately 0.400 grams per cubic centimeter to approximately 0.850grams per cubic centimeter.
 29. The animal bedding according to claim28, further comprising an odor suppressant.
 30. The animal beddingaccording to claim 29, wherein the odor suppressant comprises an organicester.
 31. The animal bedding according to claim 28, further comprising3-amino-7-dimethylamino-2-methylphenazine hydrochloride.
 32. The animalbedding according to claim 28, further comprising3,3-bis(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-5-propan-2-ylphenyl)-2-benzofuran-1-one. 33.The animal bedding according to claim 28, wherein the lignocellulosicfiber is present in a concentration of greater than approximately 40% byweight.
 34. The animal bedding according to claim 28, wherein thelignocellulosic fiber is present in a concentration of greater thanapproximately 50% by weight.
 35. Pelletized animal bedding derived fromcow excrement, comprising: at least one pellet comprising a solvent anda lignocellulosic fiber wherein the lignocellulosic fiber has beenprocessed by ruminant cow digestion and anaerobic digestion, and whereinthe at least one solvent comprises water and is present in aconcentration of less than approximately 25% weight; and wherein the pHof the animal bedding is alkaline.
 36. A method for preparing pelletizedanimal bedding, comprising the steps of: introducing excrement from acow which has undergone ruminant digestion into an anaerobic digester;modifying the cow excrement to a first wet product; drying the first wetproduct to generate a first dry product; and densifying the first dryproduct to, in turn, generate pelletized animal bedding.
 37. The methodaccording to claim 36, further comprising the step of bleaching thefirst dry product before the step of densifying the first dry product.